Ali Jakupovic is a self-taught painter currently based in Norway. He works with a variety of different mediums including oils, acrylics, aquarelle, graphite, ink, and digital art. Photorealism is his main style, but he continues to experiment with new styles, techniques, and combinations – continuously broadening his horizon. Learn more about Ali below.
Where are you from and where do you currently reside?
I was born in Arendal, southern Norway – with roots in Bosnia. Today I’m currently living in Oslo.
What drew you to become an artist and where do you find inspiration?
Ever since I was very young, maybe like three years old, I felt a connection to art. I really loved to draw throughout my childhood.
I think I was heavily inspired by my father early on. He’s been a painter all his life. And my mother has her artistic abilities as well, so I feel like my creative spark got passed on to me through them.
I find a lot of inspiration in the natural world. I love painting light, water, humans, animals, and anatomy.
How would you describe your style?
I mostly do realistic and surrealistic paintings, but I enjoy experimenting with new looks and techniques to broaden my artistic horizon. Sometimes I paint for aesthetic purposes, and sometimes I create more philosophically inspired works.
What has kept you engaged and committed to your craft over the years?
My thriving passion to create. And my constant hunt for the highly meditative flow state, where time and place cease to exist. Creativity gives me a deep sense of purpose, which guides me through this surreal life experience.
How have you grown as an artist in the past five years and what are the major contributing factors to your growth?
I have grown quite a lot in the past five years. Both as a person and as an artist. In 2019 I picked up a paintbrush and started to paint realistic animals and landscapes. Throughout the pandemic, I had tons of time to paint and evolve. Mostly working from reference photos, I taught myself how to make something come to life by smudging colors on a canvas.
What materials do you most commonly use?
I mostly use acrylic paint. Sometimes I use oils. But I’m also very fond of graphite and ink.
Can you describe some of your favorite pieces you’ve worked on?
One of my personal favorites is called “Ripples in Time”. It portrays the relativity of time and shows its similarities to a liquid. Time can be perceived as fast or slow, or even standing still – depending on the perceiver’s subjective experience in the moment. This acrylic painting is inspired by Dalí’s “The Persistence of Memory”.
Another one that I am fond of is called “Shadow Bond”. For me, this painting is about not fleeing from your own shadow. It is about accepting your darker side, because only through accepting your negative traits can you start working on them and overcoming them.
Do you have any advice for up-and-coming artists? Are there any tips or techniques you can offer?
Keep investing your time in what you love to do! And try to not put too much pressure on yourself. Focus more on the process of creating, rather than the result.
What are your website and social media links?
Website: www.alijakupovic.com
Instagram: @ali.kunst
TikTok: @ali_kunst
